The wire
Today in the 505
Thursday, Oct 15, 2026. The week in the 505 — the good and the bad. Links go to the desks that reported it. This ain’t the blotter.
The sky
Thursday. Sunny, high near 71. Tonight the east side is under a high wind warning. Gusts can hit 50 to 60 out there. In town, east 15 to 25. Friday turns cold. High near 65. Low around 35. Forecast
The river
South of us a levee let go on pecan ground near Rincon. Harvest is late and the waterline is on the houses. Here, don’t walk a wet bed. Gauge
01 · KOAT
The east side gets the wind tonight
High wind warning on the east side Thursday night. Gusts can hit 50 to 60. That’s limb-and-power-line weather. Downtown is milder, east 15 to 25. Friday is the cold one. High near 65. Low around 35.
Read it02 · KRQE
The North Valley mosque goes forward
Wednesday night the county commission denied the neighbors’ appeal, 4–1. Albuquerque Islamic Center can build near Second and Alameda. The fight was traffic and noise.
Read it03 · KRQE
UNM Hospital’s next boss still works the ER
Dr. Steve McLaughlin, 30 years at the hospital, becomes CEO. He replaces Kate Becker, who is retiring after eight years. First physician to hold the job. He says he’ll keep a shift.
Read it04 · KRQE
Maisy the hippo turned one
Yesterday at the BioPark. Pumpkins with her mom and her sister Matilda, then a boomer ball. The keepers say she follows Matilda everywhere, including the tail.
Read it05 · Duke City Live
Three Muses tell it tonight
7 to 9 at FUSION, 700 1st St NW. $15. One night of women’s stories. Rising High. Parking on 1st is free after 6.
Read it06 · KRQE
Medicare open enrollment starts today
Oct 15 through Dec 7. Free help reviewing coverage if you’re on Medicare. Call 800-432-2080, or go through aging.nm.gov. Don’t let a stranger on the phone do it for you.
Read it
Earlier
07 · Duke City Live
Fiesta 54 is a wrap
The 54th closed Sunday. Dawn Patrol at 6. Farewell mass ascension at 7. Nine days. The city can sleep in.
Read it08 · Route 66 News
Kap’s served its last plate Sunday
Kap’s Coffee Shop & Diner, 5801 Central Ave NE, closed for good Sunday after nearly 60 years on Route 66. The Kapnison family has run it since 1968. The operator told the Journal that Central, and the cost of staying, finally made it impossible. The building’s been listed at $600,000 since March.
Read it09 · Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Pueblo Cultural Center
Monday, Oct 12. 2401 12th St NW. Dancers from 10 to 4 inside. Plaza across the street, 11 to 7. No ticket listed for the plaza.
Read it10 · FUSION
Rising High runs through Oct 18
Downtown. Wednesday the 14th is figure drawing and the Well Read book market. Thursday, film and storytelling. Friday, comedy. Saturday, the ABQ Headbangers Market. Sunday, a drum circle to close it.
Read it11 · Sister
Black Flag at Sister, Tuesday night
Tuesday, Oct 13, 7 to 11. 407 Central Ave NW. 21 and up. Eventbrite lists $31.80. Greg Ginn, new three-piece behind him.
Read it12 · Visit Albuquerque
Goatheads drop a first puck this weekend
Inaugural weekend Oct 16–18 at Rio Rancho Events Center. Friday the 16th is 7 p.m. against the Idaho Steelheads. First chance to say you were there.
Read it13 · Explora
Adult Night at Explora, Friday
Friday, Oct 16, 6 to 9. 1701 Mountain Rd NW. Nightmare at the Museum. Adults $14. Students, seniors, and military $11. Members free.
Read it14 · Duke City Marathon
Duke City Marathon, Sunday
Sunday, Oct 18. Opening at 6:45. Marathon at 7. Start is 3rd and Tijeras at Civic Plaza, then the bosque. From $42. Expect road closures downtown and along the river.
Read it15 · Duke City Live
Skyriders and Plata NM were at Mama’s Saturday
Arts and crafts fair, 9 to 5. Mama’s Minerals, 2500 12th St NW. That was Saturday. Wire wrap and Plata NM silver.
Read it16 · Balloon Fiesta
Saturday was the last full day
Night Magic Glow, Music Fiesta, Russell Dickerson, then the fireworks. Farewell launch was Sunday at 7.
Read it17 · KRQE
A jury convicted in the Girard road-rage crash
Thursday. Austin Jones, great bodily injury by vehicle. The DA says in September 2024 he tried to catch two muscle cars racing near Girard and Gibson and hit another driver. She was 19. The crash left her paralyzed.
Read it18 · New Mexico United
Blackout night at The Lab
United’s last regular-season home match. Tonight against Monterey Bay. Gates 5:30. Kickoff 6:55. Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, 1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE. DJ Bunt before the whistle.
Read it19 · KOB
Green flag on day 3
Monday of the 54th Fiesta. KOB called a green flag for the morning at Balloon Fiesta Park. New Mexico Day. Light wind.
Read it20 · KOAT
New Mexico Day. Bring your ID.
Monday was New Mexico Day. Residents got in free with a photo ID or a local utility bill. Some special shapes, Yoda included, stayed on the ground Sunday. Wind.
Read it21 · KOAT
A 22-year-old didn’t make it home
Saturday about 9:30 p.m. APD’s Fatal Crash Unit says a blue BMW ran the stop at 98th and Amole Mesa SW and was hit by a southbound red Honda. The BMW driver died at the hospital. No charges in the first release.
Read it22 · KRQE
Another basket found a power line
Sunday about 8:45 a.m. Two people in a basket struck a line at Barstow and Glendale NE. Both walked away. PNM secured the line. Second power-line contact of the weekend.
Read it23 · KRQE
United is in. 2–1.
Greg Hurst scored early. Cam Wilkerson won it in the 80th at The Lab. Playoffs. Next home night is Saturday, Blackout, Monterey Bay, 6:55 p.m.
Read it24 · KRQE
Tomasita’s is dark. The other kitchens took the shifts.
An exhaust fan in a bathroom started the fire. Yeller Sub, Sadie’s, Garcia’s Kitchen, Dorothy’s, and Revel put people to work. More than 25 had a shift. Reopening is weeks, not days.
Read it25 · Albuquerque Journal
Seven mishaps on opening morning
State Police told the Journal seven balloon incidents Saturday, including a line strike at AAA Cooper on Hawkins NE that cut power to about 2,000 customers. No serious injuries.
Read it26 · Duke City Live
Glow on 4th Street, Monday night
Los Ranchos. Historic 4th from Schulte to Pueblo Solano, 5 to 10. Free. That was Monday.
Read it27 · City of Albuquerque
Council sits at 5
Vincent E. Griego Chambers, Government Center. 5 to 10:30. Public. Same hour the glow starts up 4th.
Read it28 · The Paper
The drone zone is down
While Fiesta was on, the FAA no-drone zone sat over Balloon Fiesta Park. Four nautical miles, up to 8,000 feet. That’s over. The park is a park again.
Read it29 · Duke City Live
Day two of the 54th
54th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, through Oct 11. That was day two. Monday the 5th was New Mexico Day. Free admission for New Mexico residents.
Read it30 · KKOB
Old Town played nine days of free music
While the balloons were up, Old Town hosted free live music Oct 3–11. That series closed with the farewell launch.
Read it31 · The Paper
X marks the landing spot
During Fiesta, Bernalillo County asked landowners to lay a big white X so pilots could spot a place to land. That ask is over.
Read it32 · KKOB
September gas was the priciest on record
AAA New Mexico says drivers paid the most expensive September the state’s ever seen for regular unleaded.
Read it33 · KRQE
Grecian Festival’s back. 51st year.
St. George Greek Orthodox Church that weekend. Food, music, dancing. 308 High Street SE. $5. $2 if you’re 62 or older. Kids 11 and under got in free.
Read it34 · Wisevoter
Meta documentary screened at the Hispanic Cultural Center
Your Attention Please. New Mexico’s fight with Meta over social media harm. It screened at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The state’s case has Meta on the hook for $942 million and counting.
Read it35 · KKOB
A levee let go on pecan country
Rincon pecan farmers are looking at millions in damage and a late harvest. Floodwater came through a levee and sat on the orchards. Waterline on the houses and the shops.
36 · KRQE
Free sandbags, statewide
More rain and flash flooding is still in the talk. The state’s handing out free sandbags. Supplies are limited. Check your local fire rescue.
37 · KKOB
Deadliest year on record for bears
Wildlife officials say 307 black bears have been killed since April after conflicts with people. Worst year they’ve recorded. Lock the trash, Burque.
38 · KKOB
SkyFiesta is back in Las Cruces, Oct 17
Air racing, aerobatics, historic aircraft. Las Cruces International Airport. Worth the drive south.
39 · KKOB
A court finished the Young Park case
KKOB reported that the youngest of four people convicted in the March 2025 Young Park shooting in Las Cruces received three life terms. We link the desk that reported it. We don’t retry it here.
40 · Duke City Live
Tomasita’s fire is out
Flames at the Pan American restaurant Wednesday night. Crews had it out in about 20 minutes. Nobody hurt. Cause still under investigation.
41 · Duke City Live
A jury convicted in an ABQ murder case
An Albuquerque jury brought a guilty verdict in a local murder trial this week. Details as they come.